Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Early Spring Ride from Littleton - April 18, 2018

RIDE REPORT

Wednesday, 18 April 2018, Early Spring Ride from Littleton
Ride Leader:  Lindy King
29 miles, 10:00 am start from Castle in the Trees, Littleton, MA

Bikers (34): Lindy, Alan Fierce, Bob Apsler, Bob Wilson, Butch Pemstein, Chuck McWilliams, Clyde Kessel, Curt Dudley-Marling, Dan Krechmer, David Fay, Dom Jorge, Doug Hobkirk, Dmitry Gorenberg, Everett Briggs, Francie Sparks, Gardner Gray, Gene Ho, James Hsia, Julie Dodd, Kathy Horvath, Kaz Zelny, Ken Hablow, Maria Noya, Patrick Ward, Richard Vignoni, Rick Lawrence, Rochelle Holman, Roy Westerberg, Russ Keene, Selig Saltzman, Susan Sabin, Veronica Vedensky, Wing Chow and Winslow Green.

REMINDER:  WW rides depend upon the human arrowing system.  When you are riding directly behind the leader who requests that you arrow, you must step up and remain at your post until the sweep approaches!  If you are unwilling to arrow, you should notbe riding in that position.

On a bright, chilly and windy morning, thirty-four riders gathered at the Castle in the Trees in Littleton.  We pretty much started on time as everyone wanted to get riding and warm-up.  Everett joined us a mile from the start and, unfortunately, Doug had to turn back.  Lindy promised a tailwind as we approached the Nagog Hills and we were not disappointed!  Although the group was large, we pretty much separated into smaller sub-groups.  For most of the ride we travelled on roads that were quite rural and pretty, with light traffic.  We also experienced some pretty bad road surfaces in Littleton and Carlisle that Lindy had warned us about.

We regrouped for quite some time at Great Brook Farm for snacks, conversation and restrooms.  Then it was on to Chelmsford and a short climb before entering Westford and heading back to the start through Littleton.  Many thanks to Everett and Clyde, who actually enjoyed their many turns as arrows, and to all the other arrows who helped move the ride along.  Extra special thanks to Butch Pemstein for being a superb sweep on our ride.

Several riders met afterwards at the Littleton Cafe for lunch and a few others rode over to The Point for the restaurants there.

Thank you all for coming out to Littleton and keeping me company on this ride.

Report by Lindy King.

Maria took a bunch of pictures that can be found at:





Monday, April 16, 2018

RoadRunner - April 11, 2018


RIDE REPORT


Wednesday, 11 April 2018, Road Runner

Ride Leader:  Kathy Horvath

35 miles, 10:00 am start from Bikeway Source parking lot, Bedford, MA


Bikers (21):  Kathy, Butch Pemstein, Chuck McWilliams, Clyde Kessel, Dan Krechmer, David Fay, Everett Briggs, Francie Sparks, Jack Donohue, Lindy King, Marc Baskin, Mary Kernan, Nancy Cahn, Peter Shaw, Ray Komow, Rochelle Holman, Sandy Gray, Selig Saltzman, Wing Chow, and first-timers Allison Hillman and Bob Dangel.


As we gathered at Bikeway Source, the sun was cooperative and we departed with a blue sky and light winds.  Unfortunately we lost Selig at mile 1.5 due to a leaky tire.  Selig returned to the bike shop for a quick fix, and undaunted, rode solo for 30 miles.  We regrouped before the stop light at Rte 2, where Rich Taylor joined us, reversed direction, and rode back over the Bedford Road hill with us.  Butch decided to save the hill for another day and departed the group, continuing on his own.


After another regroup at the bottom of the hill on Weston Road, we continued into Weston center and stopped at mile 14 for restrooms at the Weston Town Hall.  Our photographer, Jack “not a slave to fashion” Donohue agreed to a photo op (see attached photo).

After the break and a quick mile on Rte 20, we were rewarded with the scenic Plain and Draper Roads, Glezen Lane, and Water Row.  We passed Lincoln Sudbury HS and had a nice trek down Concord/Sudbury Road into Concord center.


As we crossed Rte 2 on Sudbury Road, Clyde had a close encounter with a car driver who cut a right turn in front of him.  Despite the scare, Clyde managed to get his license plate and called it into the Concord Police department. Thankfully, Clyde’s bike handling skills avoided direct contact and we are all grateful that he was not injured.


Special thanks to Clyde for sweeping, and to all the ready and willing arrows.  The leader appreciated the excellent riding etiquette of everyone.


The ride leader plus eight WWs enjoyed lunch at Ken’s Deli

At the Start
Rest stop
"Every girl's crazy 'bout a sharp dressed man"

Sunday, April 1, 2018

Blue Moon Ride - March 28, 2018

RIDE REPORT

WED, 28 March 2018, Blue Moon Ride
Ride Leader:  Barry Nelson
41 mi, 10:00 am start from Blue Moon Bagel Café, Medfield, MA

Bikers (11):  Barry, Bob Wadsworth, Frank Hubbard, Gene Ho, Gerry Sheetoo, Peter Megdal, Ray Komow, Selig Saltzman, Tod Cochran, Wing Chow, and first-timer, brother of Wing Chow (from NY).

Eleven people started the ride in chilly, damp weather.  After a few miles, the group split into a fast group (6) and a slow one (5).  Perhaps Frank or Gene can report on what they did.  The slow group stopped for coffee and food at the 25 mile mark. There is a movie of the last climb on the WednesdayWheelers Facebook page.  We did not need human arrows for our small group.

Selig and Bob joined the leader for lunch at Blue Moon.

Report by Barry Nelson.